Self-exile is a state of being all too familiar to Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie). But this week’s House, M.D. episode “You Must Remember This” it is not House who finds himself on the outside looking in.
I remember an episode from season three (one of the series best)
called “Half-Wit.” The final scene of the episode finds House at the door of a tavern, afraid to enter and have a drink with his fellows—afraid to rejoin society after so many years of exile from it. Here we are four years later. House has been through a lot, and this season has found some happiness with Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein). He is on the other side of that door, looking out at others still trapped in exiles old and new.
This week’s patient, Nadia (Tina Holmes) is a waitress—with a seemingly perfect memory. She suddenly falls, her legs paralyzed. When her sister Elena (Claire Rankin) comes to visit, she makes matters worse; clearly the two have a troubled relationship. Unable to forget anything from her past, the patient holds onto the worst of her memories—holding onto them like stones surrounding a fortress. She cannot let go; therefore she cannot forgive. Even after the sister donates a kidney, the patient hangs on obsessively, refusing (or unable) to let go.
Eventually, House diagnoses her behavior as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)—and a symptom of a rare genetic disorder. Her seemingly perfect memory is really an obsession with remembering everything, and why she can’t forget—even when she tries. Nadia has perhaps 20 more years to live. It’s a miserable existence she has—unable to let go of past hurts and perceived betrayals. It has rendered her unforgiving and hard. But Chase (Jesse Spencer) provides Nadia with an out—a way to allow her to reconnect. But it comes at a price.
Chase prescribes antidepressants, which, he explains, can sometimes treat the symptoms of OCD, encouraging her to try again to reconnect with Elena. But, he adds, the antidepressants may cause her perfect memory to vanish. She can exit her self-imposed exile, but only if she’s wiling to sacrifice what “makes her special.”
It’s a dilemma in which we’ve seen House so many times over the past six years—but not this year. The episode asks a fundamental House question: Is it worthwhile to sacrifice what makes you special for a bit of normalcy and the chance at a relationship? But it’s asked through a different lens—one that's inverted, with House’s situation nearly inside-out from where it was even two or three years ago.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Crazy4House
I really loved this episode, although I know a lot of others felt it was "filler". I thought it was great and moved everything foward. I loved all the personal dynamics and the Foreman/Taub friendship is really nice. I usually don't like when they have storylines, but when they are together, they are much more interesting and entertaining.
Interesting about the cat. I noticed that it looked a lot like the cat from the film, but those types of cats are very common, I never would have assumed it was the same cat!
2 - Orange450
Wonderful review, Barbara! I agree with your perspectives, including your take on what may have been on House's mind during the last scene.
I think it's telling that while he continued to stroke Cuddy's arm, he closed his eyes and seemed to compose himself for sleep, right before the fade-out. Signifying, perhaps, that for the moment, he's made his peace with whatever he was wrestling with. Had he not, I think the episode would've ended with him staring up with his eyes wide open, as we've seen him do before.
I hadn't been aware of who wrote the episode until you mentioned that the writer is a newbie. Well, kudos for a terrific first try. IMO, this was one of the best "regular" episodes of the season, thus far. I couldn't get myselft motivated to comment on last week's episode, which was fun, but just too anvillicious for me. But I really think this one was almost pitch-perfect. I loved the inversion of the dilemma. It felt just right to see House be the one in the "better" situation for a change.
The small things really counted for much in this one: I loved the way House handed Cuddy the ball he'd been bouncing against the wall - just like a schoolkid who's been caught in mischief :) It was fun to see this "thinking" activity of his again - took me all the way back to "Failure to Communicate". And I can't say enough good things about RSL's performance in the white rat scene. The way he yelped and leapt for the skillet - no one does that sort of thing better. I haven't cared much about Taub or Foreman for months. Chase neither. I'm very grateful to this new scribe for awakening my interest in all three. I agree that it was wonderful to see caring, sensitive Chase again. I've always felt that this is his true character, and attempts to portray him as a player haven't rung true to me at all.
And just how touching was it that House was suddenly deeply and truly concerned that Wilson had a drug problem?? Awwwwww. (And this coming from the guy who'd had one for years.)
Great job all around, by all. Including you :)
3 - Eve K
Hello there!
I said some months ago that this shows characters had lost my interest, but clearly I had to keep watching, to see if it would get better.
And this weeks episode was a genormous step forward. The quality is comparable to the shows finest, season 1, 2 & 3. So Im not surprised that you mention a lot of old episodes in your excellent review, Barbara.
Allthough it started a little predictable, with the thypical "everybody lies" story (the man and the woman in the cafe), it got better fast.
The theme of remembering and forgetting is compelling, and it was masterfully done by the new writer. It is a deeply ethical theme, and it bears inside it the themes of forgiveness or bitterness, suspicion or trust.
I would like to mention a play by August Strindberg, called "The dance of death" about a marriage. The clue of surviving in that marriage is "to erase and move on, to erase and move on." If you remember every quarrel, all the bad blood, you cannot go on.
As clearly stated in this episode.
I think that House comes to understand that specific dynamic within the human relationship and pounder about it. He knows that he and Cuddy will argue, and there will bee trouble, but the mind is set to forget the bad times, and hopefully they will move on together.
Strindbergs play did not end well, but his observation was a good one anyway. (-:
I have to say that I think the quality of this episode had something to do with the pace and flow of the show. Lately each episode has turned into a marathon of text. The characters all sounds like they are coming from the same character, all a version of House, in the housverse.
But this episode sounded more real, and the patient came in centre, even though House was as central a character as ever. It is a fine balance and I think sometimes the writers get a little blind, from have been on the show for so long.
For the director, I also loved the flipping of images when she remembered her past, it told the story in a very subtle and melancholic way.
4 - bigHousefan
I loved this episode! Thanks for your spot-on review!
I was struck by House's interest in whether Nadia thanked her sister for saving her life and, if not, that Chase should see if she would consider it.
Mr. 'Numbers Don't Lie' guy is doing the math here. I think he's trying to understand in his rational/logical way how his happiness adds up. House claims to understand and appreciate Nadia's view of her memories. Untarnished, unfiltered, factual. Add to the equation her sister's willingness to give up her kidney to save Nadia's life. Does that trump the total of what Nadia considered her unforgivable moments?
Throughout Season 6, House was busy fixing and helping his team's personal/professional problems often behind the scenes. Wilson's line "Your boss is secretly a very nice man." comes to mind.
In 'Small Sacrifies' Taub said something to the effect of "I thought she had forgiven me for everything, but all those hurt feelings never really went away." I think House could not rationally understand why he should apologize for lying to Cuddy to save his patient's life- that's nothing new. What she needed was the gesture and that he understands. "Words don't matter, actions matter." Of course we know he knows words matter, and hurt! He has always been quite good at gestures, especially in the romantic gesture department!
In Broken, Dr. Nolan taught House that an apology, although intangible, can heal. He did not need to suffer equally, feel the equal measure of pain he caused.
For too long House has been convinced he does not deserve to be happy. The obsessive nurturing/protecting/testing of the relationships with Wilson and Cuddy House probably considers selfish on his part. But, it stems from his deep affection for them both. Hopefully he will shed his unease and find comfort in this happy place.
5 - bigHousefan
Orange450-- Couldn't agree more, with everything! The ending scene, the ball, concern for Wilson... This writer writes from the perspective of a long-time fan! If only the lollipops would make a return appearance!
6 - Nola
Well I have been unhappy with much of this season but I loved this episode. Great to see the show get back to the basics.
I adore Sara the cat and the scenes with Wilson this week.
Great interaction with Foreman and Taub. Especially the line from Taub about Foremans home....I thought it would be more Mod Squad. (Since Omar was in Mod Squad)
Classic House move.....Champagne for everyone....then walks out the door.
Nice scenes with Cuddy yet the entire relationship was kept more in the background while the focus stayed on the POTW, who was also interesting.
Sadly the ratings were back down again this week. I think last weeks ratings boost had much to do with SuperBowl ads.
And yes, I think that last scene is very telling of whats to come.
7 - Liz
The idea of a Taub/Foreman bromance gives me the creeps I hope this is not going any further. They are both boring - what a waste of screentime!
8 - ruthinor
Very interesting review and food for thought.
Several weeks ago "60 minutes" had a segment on people like Nadia. They gathered 5 or 6 people (very rare condition) who could remember what happened on every day of their lives, as though they had calendars in their brains. Among them was the actress Marilou Henner who appeared in the show "Taxi" many years ago. They examined their brains and found that there WERE differences when compared to the "normal" brain. Interestingly, if I recall correctly, some exhibited signs of OCD, but none were ill like Nadia.
I disagree with Liz. While Taub, and especially Foreman, can be dull relative to the others, IMO, together they are far more interesting than either alone. It never occurred to me that House might be behind the "cheating" by Taub, but it does sound Housian!
At the end, I thought House looked content. I guess we all see what we want to see! If you think about it, House is actually very lucky. He has a best friend and a lover who understand him better than anyone else in the world. They accept him and love him in spite of how hateful he can be at times.
I loved the scenes with House , Wilson and Sarah. If you listened carefully, you could actually hear Sarah purring when held by House. The only thing I find somewhat troubling about Wilson's story is how can a guy have so many "loves of his life". I really felt for him when Amber died. But when Sam left, I just didn't get that same feeling. She never left an impression on me and her leaving seemed somewhat out in left field.
9 - Koji Attwood
I loved the Usual Suspects inside joke.
10 - barbara barnett
koji
Of course! That was a riot with House spoiling the ending of Usual Suspects for Wilson. That was completely evil.
11 - Caz
This episode is definitely in my top 3 of this season so far.
A great episode to show case the present reversal of roles between House and Wilson.
I think House has been mildly concerned for Wilson since he broke up with Sam but thought he was just moping and would get over himself in time. How very Housian that his mild concern turned into real concern after the discovery of the diabetic cat since he remembered Wilson had got a 3 legged one after his second divorce. What ensued in him trying to fool Wilson into believing he was allergic to the cat and him taking Wilson to a bar to try and hook him up was entertaining and very touching.
Great pick up from House about Wilson’s subconscious being afraid of dying alone and it coming out as gibberish and sneezing. How many times has Wilson warned House of that? My how the tables have been turned…for the time being at least.
Loved Wilson accusing House of being a hypocrite and his “Until recently your lifestyle of choice was self-exile” and House’s “But I never got a cat”.
Loved House’s speech as Wilson approached the girl in the bar “Hi there! Wilson…James Wilson. I’m a doctor” and then House mocking him to himself “hoping that’s enough to close but then I’m also a social moron and I’ve got a cat” very funny.
House telling the patient that we all die alone and then Chase telling the patient that he doesn’t even think House believes that anymore was very telling of how much House has grown emotionally in the teams eyes.
Glad they shown House’s doubts about him thinking he doesn’t deserve to be happy and it being Cuddy who picked up on those doubts and put it into words for the audience.
Really liked that in the end House accepted that Wilson needs the cat for the time being and even enabled him with the gift for it.
I never usually like Taub and especially Foreman but I really like this growing connection between them, I think they bounce off each other well.
Overall I really enjoyed the little push that this episode gave to move the story forward and predict more angst from here on out which I am dreading in a way but also really cannot wait for, there has been too much fluff this season.
12 - Andrea
Grrrr at House for suggesting that Wilson drown Sarah the Cat in the river. But major kudos to Wilson for saving the diabetic cat and being willing to give it its shots every day and a good home. There are worse things than being a cat lady (or a cat man) and I strongly suspect Wilson would find that there are many women who'd find it an attractive quality. I loved the final scene with Wilson holding Sarah.
I didn't find the patient of the week overly sympathetic or the case that interesting. I did enjoy Taub and Foreman's scenes and hope for an odd couple storyline there.
13 - Action Kate
First of all, men with cats are quite sexy. Any guy can have a dog; it takes a certain strength of character for a single guy to have a cat in his life. The special-needs bit is all Wilson, I'll admit. Second, House has already demonstrated gentleness with cats in "Here Kitty." Third, Hugh Laurie, as the wonderful Bertie Wooster, also showed a gentleness with cats (Bertie was originally written as "having a way with moggies").
Harrumph. :) With that out of the way...
I am surprised to hear that this episode was from a new writer. Cuddy says to House "You think you don't deserve this [relationship, happiness]," and he responds, "Have you MET me?"
Way back in Season 5, Wilson and Amber are mattress shopping, and he gets the one she wanted instead of the one he wanted. She asks him what the hell he was thinking, and he says, "I love you... I want to take care of you." And she responds: "Have you MET me?"
So I thought this was the same writer. (It's a great line; I've used it myself.)
I was a little surprised to see Taub and Foreman thrown down the "Wilson and House move in together" route, but they actually play off one another pretty nicely. They're certainly more interesting than Foreman and 13 (who, I swear, I had actually *forgotten* about entirely -- hubby had to remind me that she and Foreman had been knocking stethoscopes).
14 - bluehue
A little more cat commentary...(agree with andrea..perish that thought..glub glub!). And just to say, I love your line, "adopting a diabetic cat, something House believes is akin to waving the white flag on living." (purr-fect).
I laughed when House opened the window to toss out the ragweed..and then hesitated for a moment in closing it. Wonder if Wilson put 2+2 together about his former 3-legged siamese.
Clever catch too, (it never occurred to me that House may have helped the cheat..cheat).
Hmmm..what was awake House thinking in bed next to sleeping Cuddy..softly petting her elbow..while an almost split-screen Wilson is petting cat-Sarah? Que sera sera...what will be will be..oops..drifting. Sacrifice..yes, and I also hope he pushed worries of Wilson aside to allow a wave of pure contentment to wash over him.
15 - eileen
Loved this episode. I love House and Cuddy's beautiful relationship so much! Watching House's face when Cuddy lets him know that it's okay for him to be happy while being with her was great. Very well written and acted.
Also, I think it's terrific that Taub is moving in the Foreman. It's a nice continuation of the friendship that we saw when they played basketball against each other a few episodes ago. Didn't expect this and really like it.
Season 7 has been wonderful watch so far. I look forward to each new episode.
16 - RobF
Great review -- good catch on the ending of "Half-Wit"!
I don't think House believes he doesn't deserve happiness. It's just that he doesn't feel comfortable wallowing in happiness when he sees so many people without. Instead of looking in through the window at the happy people, House is now in the position of a person enjoying a fabulous restaurant meal while he can see homeless people outside in the cold.
It was nice to see Chase and Foreman do more than stand around in white coats. I liked Chase having a bit of fun at Masters' expense -- "Go on! You can tell the truth _and_ help the patient's diagnosis!"
Taub's test troubles seemed barely plausible, and stood out as an obvious plot device designed to get he and Foreman talking. I won't complain if this leads to a real story arc for either of them.
Also, I know this episode was supposed to be a break from all the tension, but it is hardly believable that the group would be continuing as though nothing happened with Cuddy's mother. Even if House is still practicing, they would be too worried to think about Wilson's cat or just laze about in bed happily.
*** Spoiler Alert ***
Kevin Spacey is Keyser Söze.
17 - hwl40
Great review, Barbara, loved this episode and that the writer - and I also assume David Shore - had the courage to let House actually have a relationship that is workable and growing. Perhaps not for long but, as I recall, there was a series called MacMillan and Wife where the relationship was an integral part of the show and they didn't have to break it up to keep the fans. Here's hoping the producers and writers have the courage to explore this relationship on an ongoing basis as it is as dramatic, entertaining and touching in quiet moments as it is in extremis.
18 - barbara barnett
hwl40--and also Hill Street Blues! But I can't imagine that House won't backslide at some point--maybe the season finale. Even though at this point it may be 2 steps forward and 1 back rather than the 1 step forward and three back that marked House's journey in seasons 1-6
19 - DebbieJ
This episode was solid story-telling and I agree with whomever said that the new writer must be a fan.
@#10 Barbara - Actually, Foreman tells Taub who Keyser Soze was ;)
@#12 Andrea - This isn't the first time House suggested drowning a cat with a bag in a river. He said it to a clinic patient in one of the earlier seasons when she complained about inheriting her deceased mother's cat. And I'm sure he was being his sarcastic self when saying it and not really meaning it.
#14 bluehue - I agree. I took the final scene as a sign of contentment on his part. I believe he was pondering what Cuddy said to him earlier in the episode and at that point realized she was right.
20 - ruthinor
RobF, I could be wrong but I think the Cuddy's mother hospitalization episode was originally supposed to be # 13 and was moved up. I don't know why they did this, perhaps it was sweeps week or for some other reason. So this latest episode should have run before last week's story. In any case, it's often hard to tell in this series how much time has elapsed between episodes, e.g House said that Wilson had been pining over Sam for 3 months.
21 - Mimi
I enjoy the house and cuddy relationship and hope they stay together till the end on the show...maybe i'm asking too much but i hope so
22 - Sera G.
Hi, Barbara, wonderful review, as always.
I loved this episode. I was wondering what could possibly follow last week's as I thought it was superior.
"You Must Remember This" had some really fine moments and I enjoyed the character interplays. Kudos to a first time writer! I am finding Foreman and Taub and oddly likeable pair. They are both arrogant and condescending, yet their vulnerabilities are similar (ego over loved one, career over most anything). I got a kick out of watching them play that game together.
Now we are back to the Chase that I care about. His scenes with Nadia were pure seasons 1/2. He always had a way with patients, even if he wasn't always sincere. I liked his moments with her. Best line from Chase, "I don't think House even believes it anymore." (Dying alone.)
Now, on to House/Cuddy. I agree with both ruthinor #8 and eileen, #15, I saw contentment on House's face. Cuddy was percepitve and reassuring; he has no need to feel guilty for being happy, even though Wilson is not happy (for now). She understands him and articulated what he might never say aloud. I loved the gentle stroking of her elbow. It would be a grave mistake, IMO, to break these two up.
The writers have so carefully crafted the quiet moments between them, the touches, the communication without words, etc. It would take a huge backslide from House or an enormous wound to make it believable. If they do, I am afraid, a lot of credibility will be lost.
Got a big laugh from the Stuart Little cat story. I watched that movie many times with my nephews when they were small. That is an old cat!
*****Spoiler Alert**** Barbara, did you read the title of next week's epi?
23 - hwl40
Another parallel: The ptow doesn't want to take meds because she is afraid to lose what makes her special. In "Broken", House doesn't want to take the same meds for the same reason. Both push past these fears, and so far, House keeps putting one foot in front of the other - alternating occasionally, as Barbara said, with one or two steps backward.
24 - DebbieJ
Re the whole diabetic cat scene: I used to work at a vet hospital and you wouldn't believe how many people give their cat up just as soon as it was diagnosed with diabetes, because, you know, it's just too much work. On the other hand, we had many clients who would go to the ends of the earth for their diabetic furbabies. The House page on Facebook showed us this clip and I just had to share it with 2 of my former coworkers who are vet techs. I don't know if they watch House but I'm sure they could appreciate the scene!
Also, on a purely fan-girl side note, did anyone else notice how incredibly handsome House/Hugh Laurie was in the final scene with Wilson, right after Wilson asked him to give him time? The perfect camera angle, the way House's was leaning on the counter and looking up, just made my heart skip an extra beat.
25 - julieann
When I originally watched this episode, I have to admit that I didn't care for it much -- I wrote it off as my least favorite of the season. Couldn't get excited about the POTW. Taub-Foreman thing seemed a too little forced. Cuddy-House subplot seemed a little too blah. House-Wilson storyline was the only one that caught my interest.
But then I read the initial reviews and some of the comments and watched it again. What I was thinking the first time? It really was a lovely episode. The patient wasn't very sympathetic, but her condition was interesting. The subplots were all entertaining and showed intriguing insights into the various characters. I loved the role reversals -- Taub, once the cockiest members of the team after House, feeling deflated; Foreman, the most detached, showing that he really does care about someone he's not sleeping with; Chase, this season's party boy, turning into the wise sage.
And then there was the total irony of watching House trying to get Wilson to be more social -- what a difference a year makes! (At least House didn't pay people to take Wilson to a lesbian bar or out for a night of karaoke.)
It does seem that House has turned a corner, and it's fascinating to see him as the most functional and relatively happiest person the room. (Admittedly, a low bar on this show.) In this episode, House was almost -- dare I say? -- sweet in the way he fussed over Wilson and in his interactions with Cuddy, and even in bringing mice home for Sarah. The look on his face at the end -- what was that? Pensive, yet not unhappy, perhaps contemplating how he got from his not-long-ago days as a miserable misanthrope drug addict to here in Cuddy's bed.
On the other hand, the bar scene showed us that House hasn't changed all THAT much -- "Bartender, champagne for everyone!" -- not to mention how his love for Wilson was basically expressed through manipulative, devious gestures. House certainly has his own distinctive take on friendship ....